Key-fastener



(No Model.)

H. B STRANAHAN' KEY FASTENER.

Patented NOV. 17; 1885 II II Ill I theirs ST TES HENRY B. STRANAHAN, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

KEY-FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 330,854, dated November 17, 1885.

Application filed April "I, 1885.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY B. STRANAHAN, of Cleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Key-Fasteners; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in key-fasteners, the object being to provide a simple device that can be folded and conveniently carried in the pocket, that may be distended and entered the one end in the key-hole and the other end in the key-bow, so as to secure the key against being turned or backed out or the bolt being withdrawn by means applied on the opposite side of the door.

\Vith this object in view my invention consists in certain features of construction and in combination of parts hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective, showing my improved device in position securing a key in the lock. Fig. 2 is a view in perspective showing the key-fastener in position for attaching it to the key. Fig. 3 is a view in perspective showing the key-fastener folded. Fig. 4 is a view in perspective showing the key-fastener with the bail extended at right angles to the body of the device, the position in which the fastener is placed astride the key. Fig. 5 is a view in perspective showing the position of the fastener when securing the key. Fig. 6 is an elevation in transverse section.

A represents a block forming the body of the device, with a thin flat tongue, A, of considerable length, that is usually integral with the block. The block A has a longitudinal groove or trough, a, to receive the stem of the key, and transverse half-round grooves a, located opposite each other in the sides of the block, and of suitable size to receive about a half-section of the wire of the bail B. This bail is made, preferably, of spring-wire, and the ends thereof, b, are pivoted in the transverse hole a of the block A, that is made at the bottom of the grooves a. The tension Serial No. 161,434. (No model.)

of the wire holds the bail with considerable firmness in either of the two positions shown,

showing the device closed for carrying in the pocket and the latter showing the device in the open position in which it engages and fastens the key, as shown in Fig. 1. In turning out the bail to the position shown in Fig. 4 the legs of the bail are, of course, sprung apart, and in this position the bail is placed astride the'stem of the key. (See Fig. 2.) The door having been locked, the key is left with the ward and bow crosswise, as shown. The device is next turned so that the tongue will enter the key-hole, after which the bail is brought to the position shown in Figs. 1

through the loop 0 of the key, in which position the stem. 0 of the key rests in the trough a, and the tongue A extends into the key hole whatever distance is necessary, accord ing to the length of the stem of the key. As aforesaid, the tongue A is of considerable length, by means of which the device will operate on any key of ordinary length, such as are commonly used on inside doors. For extra long keys, a longer bail can be used.

When the fastener has been adjusted as shown in Fig. 1, the key-cannot be turned or backed out by means applied on the opposite side of the door, and, as the ward of the key is behind the bolt, a false key cannot be operated, and the loolt' cannot be withdrawn except by such violent means as would break the lock.

The device when folded is in convenient form for carrying in the pocket, and furnishes a cheap and convenient means of effectually fastening the key and securing the door.

When the device has been adjusted as shown in Fig. 1, by turning back the bail in the position shown in Fig. 4 the key may be operated without removing the tongue A from the key-hole, and the fastener may be left, if preferred, in such position when the door is unlocked.

What I claim isl. A key-fastener consisting, essentially, of a block terminating in a thin flat tongue for entering a key-hole, an elastic bail pivoted to the block and engaging grooves in the latter,

respectively, in Figs. 3 and 5, the former and 5; out thehook b of the bail passes ICO grooves a and a, and the hole a, of the bail B, pivoted in the blook,and provided with the. hook I), substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification, 15 in the presence of two witnesses,this 2d day of April, 1885.

HENRY B. STRANAHAN.

Witnesses:

CHAS. H. DORER, ALBERT E. LYNCH. 

